(opinion article)

Today I want to talk about the environmental situation in the world. The global environmental situation is becoming increasingly critical, requiring immediate action by governments, businesses and citizens. Air pollution, climate change, biodiversity loss and other environmental issues have a negative impact on human health and the natural environment.

The first issue that needs human attention is climate change. Climate change is one of the biggest threats facing the world today. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the average global temperature has already risen by 1.1°C compared to pre-industrial levels. This is causing extreme weather events such as droughts, floods, hurricanes, and wildfires. For example, in 2020, Australia experienced its worst wildfires in decades, resulting in the loss of billions of animals and vast areas of forest.

The second invisible killer is polluted air. Air pollution is another serious problem. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 7 million people die each year from air pollution. The main sources of pollution are industrial emissions, road transport, and the burning of fossil fuels. Polluted air causes respiratory diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and lung cancer.

According to the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), biodiversity on the planet is declining at an unprecedented rate. Every year we lose about 0.01% of species, which is 1000 times the natural extinction rate. Biodiversity loss leads to ecosystem disruption, which can have unpredictable consequences for humanity. For example, the disappearance of bees, which are the main pollinators of agricultural crops, can lead to a food production crisis. Plastic pollution of the oceans is also becoming a growing problem. According to the United Nations, about 8 million tons of plastic end up in the oceans every year. This plastic pollutes marine ecosystems, harms marine animals, and enters the food chain. By 2050, if no decisive action is taken, the weight of plastic in the oceans could exceed the weight of fish.

In my opinion, one of the key ways to solve environmental problems is to switch to renewable energy sources. According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix is growing, but still only accounts for about 26%. Investments in solar, wind, and hydropower can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reduce dependence on fossil fuels. International cooperation is also needed to effectively combat environmental problems. The Paris Agreement, signed in 2015, is one of the key international treaties aimed at combating climate change. This agreement obliges the participating countries to limit the global temperature increase to 1.5°C. However, according to the UN, many countries are not fulfilling their obligations, and more decisive measures are needed. We should not forget the importance of civic initiatives and environmental education in solving environmental problems. More and more people are participating in cleanup campaigns, tree planting and other environmental projects.

The global environmental situation is complex and requires immediate action at all levels. Climate change, air pollution, biodiversity loss and other issues require a comprehensive approach that includes international cooperation, investments in renewable energy, civic initiatives and education. Only by working together can we preserve our planet for future generations.